Autistic girl in school wrangle
AN autistic girl from Edenbridge is being let down by the authorities who cannot find a suitable school place for her.
Experts state eight-year-old Chantelle – whose tantrums have twice led to her being suspended from Edenbridge Primary – needs a place at a special school.
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LET DOWN: Joanne Yates wants help for her daughter Chantelle LD0210094_1
But the local education authority says there is no space.
Her mum Joanne Yates, 30, of Plough Walk, said this week: "She may have autism but she is still Chantelle.
"She doesn't work well in big classes, she is having problems with that and coping with the environment. She gets very frustrated with the fact that she cannot understand what is going on."
Mrs Yates contacted Kent County Council about the issue and experts carried out an assessment to analyse her daughter's needs and decide whether or not she should be schooled elsewhere.
But the family was disappointed when they were told that there was no room for Chantelle at Ridge View School in Tonbridge.
To make matters worse, Mrs Yates claims she was told that her daughter's needs were "too great" for the Cage Green Centre, a specialist school for children with autism.
The authority has provided Chantelle with an Outreach service, which sees specialist staff visit her, but Mrs Yates does not think this is enough.
She backed staff at the primary school, however, saying they have been supportive, despite having had to issue two suspensions – one for upturning a table.
"I can't fault them at all, they are supporting me," Mrs Yates said.
"It has been really hard for me, I want what's best for Chantelle and I am really rather angry. I don't think they (the council) understand how we feel, I keep thinking about everybody else in our situation."
Council spokesman Ian Tucker said officers considered specialist provision at a mainstream primary school and a special school for complex needs when reviewing Chantelle's case.
"While the local special school is considered the most appropriate for Chantelle, the number of children who joined the school in September 2009 means it is currently full," he said.
"There are currently no immediate places available for children of Chantelle's age at alternative special schools. Her name is on the waiting list at the local special school."
What do you think? Comment on this story online at www.thisiskent.co.uk/edenbridge
5 Comments
by Supervisor, Kent
Sunday, December 13 2009, 3:05AM
“I was currently working for Edenbridge Primary School, Contact me.”
by Mark, Dartford
Tuesday, October 20 2009, 11:19AM
“Kent are shutting all the autism units , we have been told this in the last few days. some children will never be able to fit into mainstream education. where are they going to go now?”
by dmh, Sussex
Monday, October 19 2009, 12:24PM
“Normal schools should not take children with special needs despite what the stupid
every child matters says.If every child really did matter then the normal children should not have their schooling disrupted by disruptive pupils .Disruptive pupils and their apologists should not be allowed to spoil the education and life chances of the pupils that are able to
behave themselves.Unfortunately the neo marxist education system we have in this country is commited to bringing all school children down to the lowest common denominator.
Special need children should go the special needs school-the childs mother knows its best for her child but typically the authority ignores common sense in favour of politically correct nonsense.Isnt it better to be top of the class in a special needs school rather than being bottom of the class in a normal school.”
by candice, Kent
Sunday, October 18 2009, 12:02PM
“It is all about inclusion and the school should do everything possible to include Chantelle, as it part of the every child matters outcomes for children and young people. It is discrimination, schools should be able to cope with children with SEN - special educational needs and the support them as it is required”
by Ruth Thomson, Chapel Hill, North Carolina USA
Thursday, October 15 2009, 4:33PM
“Make room for Chantelle. She has a right to an education an environment which will maximize her cognitive abilities and minimize her confusion. The excuse of "there is no space" is unacceptable.”